Center for Data Innovation
The Center for Data Innovation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank within ITIF that produces independent research and policy analysis on data, AI, and technology, serving policymakers, regulators, journalists, and industry stakeholders from offices in Washington, London, and Brussels.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Center for Data Innovation does
The Center for Data Innovation (CDI) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank that operates as an affiliated program within the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF). It conducts independent research and formulates public policy recommendations aimed at maximizing the benefits of data-driven innovation in both public and private sectors. Founded circa 2013 and led by Director Daniel Castro (who also serves as ITIF Vice President), CDI maintains offices in Washington (headquarters), London, and Brussels, with editorial coverage spanning the United States, Europe, China, the Global South, and other regions. Its primary audiences are federal, state, and international policymakers and regulators; journalists and policy commentators; and technology industry stakeholders who consume its research to inform advocacy and compliance positions.
CDI's "products" are research publications and convening activities rather than software. The portfolio includes in-depth reports, commentary articles, blog posts (including the "10 Bits: The Data News Hotlist"), formal regulatory filings submitted to agencies such as the FTC, DOJ, OSTP, BIS, the European Commission, and UK government bodies, the Data Innovators interview series, the AI Policy Network (an educational forum), the AI Legislation Tracker (a federal U.S. AI legislation resource), and benchmark indices such as the Public Sector AI Adoption Index 2026 (sponsored by Google, executed with Public First). All publications are distributed free of charge through datainnovation.org and a weekly email newsletter, with no paywall, no proprietary technology stack, and no software product.
CDI's business model is donor-funded nonprofit operations under the ITIF umbrella. It does not sell products or services; revenue consists of contributions from corporations, charitable foundations, and individual donors. The go-to-market motion is community-led and event-driven: producing research and regulatory filings to shape AI, data economy, privacy, and technology policy debates; convening panels and events in Washington, Brussels, and partner jurisdictions; and generating media coverage in major outlets (Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, NPR, USA Today, Bloomberg, Businessweek). Headcount is 1–10, and the organization is privately held with no public ticker.
Center for Data Innovation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Center for Data Innovation
- Legal name
- Center for Data Innovation
- Website
- https://datainnovation.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Center for Data Innovation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank within ITIF that produces independent research and policy analysis on data, AI, and technology, serving policymakers, regulators, journalists, and industry stakeholders from offices in Washington, London, and Brussels.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Center for Data Innovation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Policy Research and Think Tank Services
- NAICS
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Responsible AI, AI Governance & Compliance Services (BPAEAHAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- AI Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) Platforms (HDAAAMAA), Science, Technology & Innovation Administration (National R&D Policy) (BPAIAAAK)
Keywords
Where Center for Data Innovation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Center for Data Innovation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Nonprofit funding: The Center is a part of the nonprofit, nonpartisan Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF). Supporters include a diverse range of corporations, charitable foundations, and individual contributors. No direct revenue from products or services.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Center for Data Innovation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Center for Data Innovation conducts independent research and formulates public policy recommendations to enable data-driven innovation in the public and private sector. It publishes reports, commentary, regulatory filings, a weekly newsletter, and interview series, and operates the AI Policy Network educational forum and the AI Legislation Tracker. All offerings are distributed free of charge and target policymakers, regulators, media, and industry stakeholders in the U.S., Europe, and globally.
Product overview
Center for Data Innovation is a think tank (part of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation) that offers a portfolio of research publications and educational programs rather than a unified software product. The portfolio consists of: weekly newsletters delivering data and technology news summaries; in-depth reports and commentary analyzing AI, data economy, privacy, and technology policy; formal regulatory filings submitted to government agencies; the Data Innovators interview series; the AI Policy Network educational forum; a blog with datasets and visualizations; and specialized research indices such as the Public Sector AI Adoption Index 2026. These offerings are content and policy-focused, not software products or platforms.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Reports In-depth research reports covering AI, data economy, privacy, government, health, education, and international affairs, written for policymakers, regulators, media, and industry stakeholders.
- Commentary Commentary articles providing analysis and perspective on current events and policy issues related to data, technology, and AI.
- Filings Formal comments and submissions to government agencies and regulatory bodies on proposed regulations and policies related to AI, data, and technology.
- Weekly Newsletter A free weekly newsletter summarizing important data-related news, featuring original articles and interviews with global experts, and showcasing datasets, visualizations, and books.
- Data Innovators Interview series featuring data innovation leaders and entrepreneurs, including '5 Q's' interviews with CEOs and founders.
- AI Policy Network An educational forum for AI policy experts from civil society, academia, government, and industry that facilitates discussion and collaboration on AI policy issues.
- Public Sector AI Adoption Index 2026 An annual index surveying public servants across multiple countries on AI adoption in government, produced with research partner Public First and sponsored by Google.
- AI Legislation Tracker An online resource tracking federal legislation related to AI in the United States.
Companies that use Center for Data Innovation
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Center for Data Innovation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Center for Data Innovation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered strategic and core.
- Public FirststrategicPublic First conducted the Public Sector AI Adoption Index 2026 research for the Center for Data Innovation, surveying 3,335 public servants across 10 countries. The index ranked Saudi Arabia first globally in public sector AI adoption.
- The DialoguestrategicThe Center for Data Innovation and The Dialogue co-organized a pre-summit event in Washington, D.C. on January 20, 2026, sponsored by Google, as a precursor to the 2026 AI Impact Summit in New Delhi.
- Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF)coreThe Center for Data Innovation is a part of the nonprofit, nonpartisan Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), the world's leading think tank for science and technology policy. ITIF is the parent organization of the Center.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Center for Data Innovation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Future of Privacy Forum: Nonprofit think tank focused on data privacy and emerging technology policy. Closely comparable to CDI on data-driven innovation topics — particularly AI governance, privacy regulation, and cross-border data flows.
- Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF): Parent organization of CDI. ITIF is the world's leading science and technology policy think tank, producing reports, commentary, and events on the same data/AI/innovation topics as CDI, with overlapping staff and brand identity.
- New America Open Technology Institute: Policy program within New America focused on technology, data, and AI governance. Overlaps with CDI in producing AI/data policy reports, regulatory filings, and convenings aimed at US and EU policymakers.
- Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI (HAI): University-affiliated research and policy institute producing AI policy analysis, reports, and a flagship AI Index. Directly comparable to CDI as a thought-leader in AI policy commentary aimed at regulators and the public.
- AI Now Institute: Research institute focused on the social implications of AI, producing policy briefs and reports for regulators. Comparable to CDI as a dedicated AI policy think tank publishing commentary on US and global AI governance.
Regional players
- Ada Lovelace Institute: UK-based AI and data policy research organization. Directly comparable to CDI in AI/data governance research, but primarily UK/EU-focused rather than transatlantic.
Broad incumbents
- RAND Corporation: Large nonprofit research institution producing policy analysis across science, technology, and AI. Comparable as a research-driven think tank producing reports, commentary, and expert testimony for government.
- Brookings Institution: Large, established DC-based policy research organization with a Center for Technology Innovation. Comparable as a general-purpose think tank producing technology and AI policy commentary for US and global audiences.
- Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS): Bipartisan DC think tank with technology and AI policy programs producing reports and convenings. Comparable as an established think tank engaging US and international policymakers on emerging technology issues.
- Atlantic Council GeoTech Center: International affairs think tank program focused on the intersection of technology and geopolitics. Comparable to CDI on global technology policy research and commentary, particularly around US-China-EU dynamics and AI.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Center for Data Innovation social profiles
Digital presenceCenter for Data Innovation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Center for Data Innovation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Center for Data Innovation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Center for Data Innovation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Center for Data Innovation
What does Center for Data Innovation do?
The Center for Data Innovation conducts independent research and formulates public policy recommendations to enable data-driven innovation in the public and private sector. It publishes reports, commentary, regulatory filings, a weekly newsletter, and interview series, and operates the AI Policy Network educational forum and the AI Legislation Tracker. All offerings are distributed free of charge and target policymakers, regulators, media, and industry stakeholders in the U.S., Europe, and globally.
Is Center for Data Innovation a public or private company?
Center for Data Innovation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Center for Data Innovation founded?
Center for Data Innovation was founded in 2013. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Center for Data Innovation based?
Center for Data Innovation is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Center for Data Innovation make money?
One revenue line is on record: nonprofit funding.
Who are Center for Data Innovation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Future of Privacy Forum, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), New America Open Technology Institute, Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI (HAI) and AI Now Institute. Ada Lovelace Institute is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are RAND Corporation, Brookings Institution, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and Atlantic Council GeoTech Center.
Does Center for Data Innovation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Center for Data Innovation.
What industry is Center for Data Innovation in?
Center for Data Innovation's product category is Policy Research and Think Tank Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEAHAJ, Responsible AI, AI Governance & Compliance Services, with a secondary code of HDAAAMAA, AI Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) Platforms. Its NAICS code is 54172.